Are Subarus reliable?
54% of the 140 Subarus we inspected scored 60/100 or higher, averaging 62/100 — they are in about average shape.
#8 of 24
Longevity rank#1 Tesla holds up to ~184k~122k
Trouble-free mileageacross all body styles140
Subarus inspectedreal pre-purchase inspections62/100
Average conditionall cars we check: 61/100Based on 140 used Subarus we inspected, they are in about average shape — average condition 62/100 vs 61 for all cars we check. Every number on this page comes from real pre-purchase inspections — cars people were about to buy and paid an independent inspector to go through point by point, engine to underbody, paint depth to error codes. Not owner surveys, not warranty statistics, not forum lore: what we actually found.
What we found
Most common faults
Oil leaks · Engine
64%
Cracked or torn suspension bushings · Suspension
34%
Low coolant / cooling system issues · Engine
26%
Tires condition & wear · Brakes and tires
21%
Fuel trim out of range · Engine
19%
Share of inspected Subarus where each item was flagged.
How they score
Excellent 27%
Good 27%
Mediocre 27%
Poor 19%
Hidden history
What the seller might not mention — how often we find it on Subarus.
69%had a repainted or replaced panelall cars: 74%
4%showed structural repairall cars: 4%
34%had fault codes recently clearedall cars: 24%
Compare with another brand:
Cross-shopping? Subaru vs Toyota · Subaru vs Honda · Subaru vs Ford
How long does a Subaru last?
Across every Subaru body style we've inspected — sedans, SUVs and anything else pooled together — the average one's condition dips below decent (a 55/100 score) around ~122k miles. It ranks Subaru #8 of 24 brands we have enough data to rate; the longest-lasting, Tesla, holds up to ~184k. Shopping a Subaru near that mileage? Expect more wear ahead — see which makes give the best odds at your budget.
Good cars by mileage
Good cars by age
Share of Subarus in good shape (scoring 60+/100) by mileage and by age when we inspected them (each dot ≥5 cars; a band under 20 cars follows the nearby bands, so a run above the all-cars line stays above it, and a band of 20 or more uses the rate we measured; where a band has too few cars, the line follows the trend between the bands on either side; rolled-back odometers excluded from the mileage curve). The dashed grey curve is all cars we check.
Subaru models we've inspected
Outback
44 cars · 57% good
Forester
46 cars · 50% good
Crosstrek
14 cars · profile soon
WRX
11 cars · profile soon
Recently inspected:
2018 Subaru Outback · 105k mi — flagged: low coolant / cooling system issues, oil leaks, dirty or low engine oil. Inspected Nov 4.
2017 Subaru Outback · 182k mi — flagged: crankcase gas pressure, belts, oil leaks. Inspected Oct 29.
The bottom line
A Subaru here is a coin flip, so judge the car in front of you, not the brand average. Start under the hood: oil leaks hit 64% of them, and coolant trouble plus out-of-range fuel trim make the engine the main risk, ahead of torn bushings and worn tires. Codes are wiped more often than across the fleet, so scan before you trust a clear dash. Structural repairs are ordinary, and these cars usually stay decent until 122,000 miles, better than most brands here. Walk on an active oil or coolant leak; negotiate bushings, tires, and wiped codes; pay up only for a dry engine still short of that drop.
FAQ
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What are the most common problems with a used Subaru?
Across the Subarus we inspected, the items we flag most often are oil leaks (64%), cracked or torn suspension bushings (34%), low coolant / cooling system issues (26%).
Thinking of buying a Subaru? Get the exact car inspected before you pay.
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Based on 140 inspections · updated Nov 11, 2026
